Brave juniors' outstanding run ended in Jersey

ROYAL JERSEY'S big guns ended the Guernsey Junior Club's dream run in the Hampshire Sevens, winning yesterday's CI section final 5.5-1.5 at Grouville. On the way to the final Colin Le Huray's youngsters had put out both the Royal Guernsey and L'Ancresse but, on away soil and despite a Saturday practice round, the reds with a string of one, two or three handicaps, were just too strong.

The juniors' solitary win came from Craig Shorto, who had been in control for much of his match against Stephen Rafferty but proceeded to lose the last three holes to be taken down the 19th.

However, he won on the second extra hole and the visitors had got a point after losing the top two matches.

The half point came from Elliott Corbin, who produced a gutsy display against established star James Birch.

Birch was four up at one stage but Corbin stuck to his task and got it back to all-square after 17.

At the last, the youngster holed out from 11ft for birdie but Birch followed him in from 9ft for the half.

The two Le Huray brothers performed well enough but lost to strong opposition.

Alex Guelpa was two under gross in completing a 4 and 3 win over 13-year-old Sam, while elder brother Tom held Robbie Messervy for 15 holes only to pay for poor tee shots at 16 and 17.

Will Davidson played well and took Richard Williamson the distance before losing one down, while Dan O'Brien lost 2 and 1 to Matthew Vincent and Jamie Le Page 7 and 6 to Christy McLaughlin.

GJGC president Le Huray was, nevertheless, proud of his boys' performance.

'In general it was a pretty good show. But we need to play more matchplay and we will be looking at that.